HOA Blog - California

Our HOA Blog is added to several times each month so please visit it often. If you would like to respond to any blog, please contact us. Our HOA Articles are also added to and updated regularly.

Failure to Hold Board Elections on Time

January 22, 2024

The bylaws of common interest developments in California set forth the requirements for holding the election of directors. In most cases, associations are required to hold elections for board members once each year at a specified time.

In accordance with the California Corporations Code, if a board fails to hold an election for 60 days after the designated time, or for a period of 15 months after its last election, the Superior Court of the county may summarily order the election to take place upon application of any member of the homeowner association.

Members should consult with legal counsel if it becomes necessary to force an election.

Failure to hold timely elections is one of the most common reasons boards are recalled. See: Most Common Reasons Board Members are Recalled.

HOA Board Training Seminars

January 22, 2024

Coast Management of California is continuing to offer homeowner association board training seminars either by Zoom or in person. For more information: FreeHOASeminars.net.

Earn Referral Fees

January 22, 2024

You can earn a referral fee of $250 to $500 for the referral of full-service HOA management accounts to Coast Management of California: Earn a Referral Fee.

Minutes of Meetings Required by Law

January 22, 2024

Minutes of meetings are required by law to be taken at board meetings and should be maintained by the corporate secretary. They should never be discarded. Aside from being required by law, they are sometimes used to defend an association against legal claims. They must also be provided by the management company to escrow companies and lenders when an owner is refinancing or selling a unit or lot. See: Minutes of Board Meetings and Minutes – Sample Form.

Not All Management Companies are the Same

January 22, 2024

The property management company you hire makes a difference. Knowledge and experience saves your HOA money and protects your interests. See: The Property Management Company You Hire Makes a Difference and Evaluate Your HOA Management Company.

Rights and Powers of HOAs and HOA Members

January 9, 2024

The rights and powers differ substantially and are summarized as follows: Rights and Powers of HOAs and HOA Members.

Rodent Proofing-Rat Proofing

December 26, 2023

At the first signs of mice or rats, property supervisors should recommend that a board hire a professional rodent proofing and clean-up contractor or handyman to seal any potential entry points into buildings. Rats and mice can destroy insulation, plastic, electrical wiring, and PVC pipes, while spreading serious bacterial diseases such as plague. Even when there are no signs of mice or rats, it is wise to have a contractor or handyman rodent proof buildings at least every three years in order to prevent problems.

Operating Rules Available

December 11, 2023

Coast Management of California has a library of attorney approved Operating Rules that can be made available to your association for a minimum cost. The proposed operating rules must be approved by the board at a noticed, open meeting. Please call Michael Chulak for information. See: Adopting and Amending Operating Rules.

Real Estate Agents – Questions About CC&Rs

December 1, 2023

From time to time real estate agents who are representing a buyer will call the management company to inquire about something that requires an interpretation of the CC&Rs. When this takes place, the appropriate thing for the management company to do is to advise the caller that he or she needs to read the CC&Rs himself or herself and to obtain a legal opinion if necessary. It is not the roll of the management company to provide legal opinions to real estate agents. It is also not the roll of the management company to provide answers to simple questions that can be answered by reading the CC&Rs. Agents and buyers need to read the CC&Rs themselves.

Hard Surface Flooring

November 30, 2023

The installation of hard surface flooring by owners of condominiums, above another unit, is likely to create a sound or noise problem if the installation is not done correctly. It is recommended that associations amend their CC&Rs to require a minimum IIC rating of IIC65 (Impact Insulation Class). Such an amendment must be voted upon using the two envelopes, secret ballot process. It is not recommended that the requirement be accomplished by means of an operating rule since such a rule may be short-lived and/or over-turned by a small claims court.

 

 

 

Coast Management of California
818-991-1500